Chef Janos Wilder’s latest brainchild is a modern French and Southwestern infusion that may be his best creation yet.

During the Arizona summer, sometimes you get your breath of fresh air by entering a building rather than walking outside. With high ceilings, an open kitchen and exposed brick, the calm, chic vibe of Downtown Kitchen + Cocktails is a refreshing contrast to the hot and bustling streets of downtown Tucson.

French gastronomy has made significant contributions to western cuisine since the 20th century, and here the two are blended perfectly. For starters, crispy calamari is accompanied by mango, candied ginger and roasted Spanish peanuts. Lunch offers familiar favorites with a twist. House specialties such as the crispy fish tacos are drizzled with a creamy remoulade. Tender seared ahi lies atop English muffins, dressed up with sesame slaw, avocado and wasabi mayo.

For dinner, the kitchen ups their game with entrees like grilled salmon accented with spring peas and a grilled tomato mint salsa. Pasta lovers find orechiette pasta and braised duck tossed in a parmigiano reggiano cream and pistou. And what better way to end a fabulous meal than with a savory dessert? Order the famous dark chocolate jalapeño ice cream sundae, topped with white chocolate sauce, candied pecans and whipped cream.

But any restaurant with “cocktails” in its name must mean business, and Downtown’s drink menu is hard to ignore. “South 6th” is a refreshing favorite with Hendrick’s Gin, cucumber, basil, Cardamon simple syrup and a splash of ginger beer. The “Cuban Sunset” spices things up with habanero infused vodka mixed with passion fruit juice and simple syrup. With such creative blends these drinks are sure to please.

If it’s the nightlife you crave, stay for after DARK where the vibe is set to lounge. Enjoy your favorite Downtown cocktails and bar menu in the mix of live, mood-setting music. But whether it’s a business lunch or an evening for two, this exotic French-inspired menu gives an invigorating twist to downtown dining.